Take it to the green with Environment Day in Phuket

PHUKET: Phuket’s celebration of World Environment Day (WED) kicked off this morning as the province hosts a three-day event concluding on June 7.

The event organizers’ goal is to encourage residents to take action against pollution and promote the preservation of the island for generations to come.

The event will support this year’s United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) campaign called “Raise your voice, not the sea level”.

“The aims of UNEP campaign are to promote the importance of protecting Small Island Developing States [SIDS], raise awareness of the environmental problems we face as a world community and to take action against activities that escalate climate change,” Pornsri Suthanaruk, director of the Regional Environmental Office 15, told the Phuket Gazette.

“It is a challenge to maintain our planet for future generations. However, we must all work together to decrease our impact on the environment and prevent global warming, which can cause sea levels to rise and have many detrimental effects on our environment.”

Phuket’s Environment Day festivities, at Queen Sirikit Park in Phuket Town, started at 9am today. No plastics or foam products will be allowed at the event.

“Activities at the event will include trash cleanups, art exhibitions, tree plantings, concerts, campaigns to encourage bicycle use and many fun contests,” Dr Pornsri said.

Schedule:

June 5

8am: Registration

9am:
Opening ceremony chaired by Phuket Governor Maitri Inthusut.
Phuket Green Award ceremony
A “dangerous waste parade” to collect dangerous materials that will be destroyed.

10am – 3:30pm:
Environmental photography exhibition
Demonstrations of how to produce biodiesel from used vegetable oil and how to produce biogas
Secondhand item exchange
Free physical checkups by PPAO
Painting contest

3:30pm: Painting contest winner announced

6pm:
“Why do we have Environment Day in Phuket” talks by Prince of Songkla University representatives

7pm: Concert and stage performances

June 6

10am – 3:30pm:
Environmental photography exhibition and contest
Free physical checkups by PPAO

5:30 – 6pm:
Winner of photography contest announced

June 7

9am:
Planting 500 bougainvillea, the provincial flower of Phuket, along the Bang Yai Canal by Phuket Vocational College students

— Chutharat Plerin